THE Stronger Together headspace Round gave every team at every level of Golden Rivers Football and Netball League a chance to engage with the mental health service at the weekend.
Ultima Football and Netball Club president Nathan Condely said every player gets their time to learn about what headspace can do for them.
“The headspace Round is always a huge day – headspace has a chat with the teams before each game and gives an award afterward,” he said.
“That interaction lets people know there is help out there and it’s accessible for them to reach out.
“We really thank headspace for putting in the time to come out and support us.”
Condely said sporting clubs have a unique role to play in promoting mental wellbeing.
“It’s easy to engage with players and provide resources at footy clubs because we already organise gatherings in large groups,” he said.
“Some people may not seek help on their own, so bringing the help into the club may reach that person who needs to hear it.
“It’s all worth it if it makes a difference to just one person.”
Ultima are welcoming headspace back to the club in a couple of weeks for the international Ahead of the Game program, sanctioned by AFL.
Ahead of the Game is funded by Movember and developed by sports psychologists with the aim to teach young people and their support network about mental wellbeing.
“There’s a whole-club focus on mental health across all grades, and Ahead of the Game gets everyone including parents involved,” Condely said.
“There are four sessions – one each for parents and players, and two joint sessions.
“It’s the first time we’ve engaged with this program and we’re really looking forward to it.
“headspace make our life easy in organising events like this, so if the program goes well this year we’ll be implementing it for years to come.”
